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The state issues the first 5G frequency licenses

24.01.2019

Annika Haas

The Minister of Enterpreneurship and Information Technology Rene Tammist signed a draft regulation setting the basis, so that electronic communications operators can start developing the next generation a.k.a. 5G communications networks.

The introduction of 5G bandwidths creates new opportunities for communication services and promotes the development of existing electronic communications networks and services. It also enables the implementation of new technologies.

According to Rene Tammist, Minister of Enterpreneurship and Information Technology, the introduction of new bandwidths is necessary to implement new technologies such as self-driving vehicles and smart city solutions. “The challenge for Estonia's economic development is innovation and productivity - solutions working on 5G communications open up new opportunities in both directions,” added Tammist.

The separable bandwidth is divided into three equal parts large enough to implement the large data amounts of 5G technologies. Additionally, the fourth smaller buffer zone will be left to ensure undisturbed operation of defense forces equipment.

The frequency licenses can be purchased by all interested electronic communications operators at a national competition where the starting price of the auction is 1 597 000 €. The initial 5G frequencies, that are being auctioned, are in the 3.6 GHz range, the price of which has been developed in accordance with the Electronic Communications Act and considering radio frequencies as a limited state resource.

“The 3.6 GHz band is considered to be one of the most important frequency bands in the world in terms of 5G, and Estonian electronic communications operators have also shown great interest in its deployment,” said Tammist.

The issuing of frequency licenses is a part of the 5G deployment roadmap, which initial version will be launched in February. The roadmap will be revisited during the years to come and altered in order to assist in deploying 5G. “With the road map, we set out the steps that the state plans to support in the fast and best possible deployment of 5G solutions in Estonia. More specifically, the roadmap is based on four pillars: investments, the legal environment, service innovation and frequencies, ”added Tammist.

On the basis of the signed draft regulation, the Consumer Protection and Technical Surveillance Authority (TTJA) will organize a competition this spring, which will result in the deployment of the 390 MHz radio spectrum for electronic communications operators.

Veel uudiseid samal teemal

Today and tomorrow, the third real-time economy (RTE) roundtable is held in Laulasmaa to focus on the most important borderless RTE services and solutions across the Baltic Sea region. Among other topics, experts will also discuss the law amendment according to which all Estonian public sector accounting from the beginning of July will be based solely on eInvoices.

On February 19th, the President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid opened the new e-Estonia Briefing Centre in the Öpiku Building in Ülemiste City, which introduces our unique digital society and e-solutions to high-level foreign visitors from both the private and public sector.